How Rio Ferdinand Reacted To Smalling’s Goal Against Watford

Manchester United emerged triumphant at Vicarage Road, as they were able to trump Watford 2-1.

First-half goals from Romelu Lukaku and Chris Smalling set the ball rolling in favor of the Red Devils, and although Watford responded with a goal from Andre Gray and looked threatening in the dying moments of the match, the scoreline stood.

While Lukaku’s opener was a brilliant one, Smalling’s goal was a pure tactical masterclass and was undoubtedly engineered from numerous practiced set-pieces in the training ground. As a result, when the Mancunian giants went 2-0 up, a special reaction awaited.

Rio Ferdinand responded excitedly to Smalling’s goal and was quite happy at the build-up. He went on to say: “Fellaini is a menace in that area. It’s a great finish from Chris Smalling.”

It is clear that playing Fellaini in the spot paid off brilliantly, as he also had a vital role in Lukaku’s opener. However, in engineering the second goal, Mourinho must have been tremendously happy at the link-up between the Belgian and Smalling.

It is moments of tactical advantages like these for which the Portuguese gaffer insistently held on and re-signed Fellaini earlier this summer.

What one is left to wonder is whether or not this will be a regular ploy, or if Mourinho will be wary of his opponent making the simple collection and begin heavily marking the former Everton man when he becomes threatening.

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Updated 25th May 2018

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